Geech confirms Lions interest

The British

& Irish Lions

Tour to New Zealand 2017

Geech confirms Lions interest

Lions legend Ian McGeechan has confirmed his interest in working with Britain and Ireland's elite in the lead up to the 2013 tour of Australia.

McGeechan, who led the Lions to South Africa this summer, has again emphasized his hopes of playing a role during the preparations for the next installment of Lions mania.

The 62-year-old Scot has already been involved with the Lions twice as a player and five times as a coach and he has admitted that he would love to be involved in some capacity for what would be an incredible eighth Lions adventure.

But, having already stated that he has no intention of taking on an on-tour coaching role in four years time, McGeechan's expertise is most likely to be employed during the preparations as he seeks a behind-the-scenes role with the world's most-famous touring team.

"John Feehan (Lions chief executive) has always asked me to have some involvement in the preparations for Australia from a rugby perspective," McGeechan told Sky Sports News.

"It would be more as someone to consult with and just try and use my experience to do the best in that preparation.

"It's great because that's the bit that has probably been left until last or not done before so I'm looking forward to that."

And after seeing the Lions come so close to securing a series victory over the World Champion Springboks five months ago, McGeechan believes that implementing the best possible preparation could well see the Lions return from Down Under with their first series triumph of the 21st century.

"If I can make the next tour from a Lions' perspective as balanced as possible and get preparation right then whoever takes it has hopefully a good opportunity of keeping the Lions competitive which, for me, is very important," added McGeechan.

"I think it's in everybody's interest that the Lions have the best programme and that they are competitively well prepared ahead of the Test series.

"A competitive Test series then is important for both Australia and the Lions."